Salem Elementary January News

Dear Families,

Happy New Year! As we embark on January 2025, I want to take a moment to celebrate all that Salem Elementary students and staff have accomplished. Our music department has delivered outstanding concerts, showcasing the talent and dedication of our young performers. It is heartwarming to see our students learning and growing in such a supportive and nurturing environment at SES. Their Salem Pride shines through, and we are thrilled by their commitment to their classes, peers, and the wider community.

As we welcome this New Year, I’m excited to share our good news with you and encourage everyone to stay connected with us. ParentSquare will become the primary source of district, school, grade level and classroom communications here at Salem Central School District beginning on Monday, January 6th. This means prior platforms like SchoolMessenger, Apptegy, and Thrillshare Rooms will no longer be active when students return to school from break. ParentSquare Getting Started Guide

You will regularly receive district, school, classroom and athletics information through email, text and/or the mobile app — it's your choice! You can find more information about ParentSquare on our district website, www.salemcsd.org. Visit our website and follow us on social media @Mr_SwitzerSalem for photos and positive messages that highlight our school community. We will continue to share resources with you to help you get acquainted with this new unified communications platform.

The start of a new year also provides a perfect opportunity for reflection and renewed commitment. We deeply value your support from home as it plays a crucial role in your child's success. I encourage all students to remain focused on their goals by working hard and being present each day.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s well-being or academic progress. Your involvement is essential, and we are here to support both you and your child.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and safe New Year!

Sincerely,

Damian Switzer

Interim Elementary Principal

dswitzer@salemcsd.org, @Mr_SwitzerSalem

Parents, friends, and community members were invited to join in the holiday festivities at SWA's annual Holiday Review. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as families gathered to celebrate the season and witness the incredible talents of our students. The event showcased a variety of performances, where students from different grades took center stage.

The Holiday Review not only highlighted the remarkable talents of our students but also fostered a sense of community and togetherness, reminding everyone of the joy and warmth that the holiday season brings.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Washington County Highway Department for hosting this year's annual Snowplow Safety Day for our Pre-K through 6th-grade students. This engaging event provided students with a unique opportunity to learn about snowplow safety in a fun and interactive way.

During the demonstration, students gathered around as experienced highway department personnel explained the critical role that snowplows play in keeping our roads safe and accessible during winter months. The snowplow operators shared essential safety tips, such as the importance of maintaining a safe distance from snowplows while they are in operation and recognizing the signs that indicate when a plow is nearby.

To make the experience even more enriching, students got an up-close look at the snowplows themselves. They were able to explore the vehicles, marveling at their size and the various features designed for snow removal. The highway department staff answered questions and engaged the young learners with hands-on activities that reinforced the day’s safety messages.

This event not only educated students about the importance of snowplow safety but also fostered a greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the highway department in maintaining safe road conditions during winter weather. Students left the event equipped with valuable knowledge that they can share with their families, ensuring that everyone stays safe during the snowy season.

“Lego Club is a fantastic opportunity to engage with the toy of the century,” says club advisor Mrs. Alexis Keenan. “At our monthly meetings, members face a unique challenge that allows them to apply their knowledge and creativity to complete their builds.” The club enables children to develop their STEM skills while having a great time. Students are encouraged to unleash their creativity and frequently offer each other words of encouragement. Be sure to follow the school's social media for photos of the amazing creations by our students!

Over the past few years, students and families from Salem CSD have supported the Ronald McDonald House Charities program through the annual READ fundraiser. We're excited to announce that the fundraiser is returning and will begin after the holiday break!

The local Ronald McDonald House provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. This vital work is made possible through donations and volunteers, who assist families facing a medical crisis.

The fundraiser will run for four weeks, from Wednesday, January 8th to Wednesday, February 5th. During this time, Salem CSD students are invited to participate by simply reading! Here’s how it works: students can ask friends, family, and community members to pledge a certain amount for the time they spend reading throughout the fundraiser. Each day, students will track their reading time and collect pledges based on their total at the end of the month.

Last year, 23 students from our district participated and raised $3,195 for families in need! Learn more about how you can contribute and get involved here: https://give.rmhcofalbany.org/team/610750

• Attendance Letter

New York State law requires that any medication to be administered in a school setting, including over-the-counter medications, must have appropriate documentation from a physician. The law also provides guidelines for the administration of medication in schools to ensure the safety of students.

For the safety and well-being of all our students, we would like to remind everyone that any and all medications that require a doctor's script must be delivered directly to the health office by a parent or guardian. It's essential that medications are not sent with students or through others. This ensures the correct handling, dosage, and administration of the medication.

January 2025 Calendar Link

Monday, Jan. 6th

Classes Resume

Tuesday, Jan 7th

Grades 4 - 6 Chorus Rehearsal Auditorium @2:30 pm

Wednesday, Jan 8th

Ronald McDonald House Reading program starts today

Cool 2B Kind Club for Grades 4 - 6 Room 206 @2:30 pm

Lego Club for Grades K - 2 Primary Gym @2:30 pm

Tuesday, Jan 14th

Grades 4 - 6 Chorus Rehearsal Auditorium @2:30 pm

Wednesday, Jan 15th

Lego Club for Grades 3 & 4 Primary Gym @2:30 pm

BOE Meeting HS library @6:00 pm

Monday, Jan 20th

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day-School and District offices closed

Tuesday, Jan 21st

Grades 4 - 6 Chorus Rehearsal Auditorium @2:30 pm

Wednesday, Jan 22nd

Cool 2B Kind Club for Grades 4 - 6 Room 206 @2:30 pm

Lego Club for Grades 5 & 6 Primary Gym @2:30 pm

Friday, Jan 24th

2nd Quarter ends

Monday, Jan 27th

3rd Quarter begins

Tuesday, Jan 28th

Grades 4 - 6 Chorus Rehearsal Auditorium @2:30 pm

Wednesday, Jan 29th

Asian Lunar New Year-School closed

Thursday, Jan 30th

PK-6 Report cards issued